Slip cover for furniture



Nov. 30, 1937. A. OPPENHEIMER, JR

SLIP COVER FOR FURNITURE 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 4

INVENTOR flR 77/01? OPPE/VHE/MERJI ATTOR N EYS Nev. 30, 1937. A. OPP-ENHEIMER, JR

SLIP COVER F:

R FURNITURE Filed Sept. 4. 1935 2 Sheets-Shea?- 2 INVENTOR flfi? 7/1 01? OPPEA/f/E/MERJI.

AT ORNEYS WITNESS Patented Nov. 30, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SLIP COVER FOR FURNITURE Arthur Oppenheimer, In, New York, N. Y. Application September 4, 1935, Serialhlo. 39,092

c Claims. (01.155-182) This invention relates toslip covers for upholstered furniture and more particularly to slip covers which areprovided with surplus material for securing them to the articles of furniture.

An object of the invention'is to provide an improved slip cover of the indicated typewhich can be manufactured in a few stock sizes and which is so constructed that it will fit satisfactorily on upholstered pieces of furniture having widely varying dimensions. Y

Another object or the invention is to provide a unitary slip cover of the indicated type in which the elements thereof are so constructed and arranged that the slip cover can be placed on and removed from an article of furniture with facility and which when positioned on the article offurniture, will not become disarranged or untidy duringusage.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description. taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of an over-stuffed chair having a slip cover thereon embodying the present invention; Fig. 2 is a rear view of the coveredchair shown inFig. l with aportion of'the rear panel of the slip cover folded over to illustrateone means for securing the slip cover on-the chair; Fig. 3 is a top planview of Fig. 1, partially in section, oneside of the seat and inner back panels being shown in untucked position; Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the chair, illustrating how the slip cover is secured on the underside of the chair; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the covering for the seat cushion; Fig. 6 is a vertical section taken through the-arms and seat panels of the slip cover showing the arrangement of such panels on the chair, and Fig. 7 is avertical section taken at right angles to that of Fig. 6, illustrating the arrangement of the seat and back panels on the chair.

The invention is herein illustrated as embodied in a slip cover for an over-stuffed wing chair of conventional construction having a separable or removable seat cushion. Preferably the seat cushion is enclosed in a separate casing, as illustrated in Fig. 5, but it may be covered by theseat panel of the slip cover in the same manner thatthe seat portion of the chair is covered by such panel as will be hereinafterexplained.

In. accordance with the invention, the slip cover is constructed from several fashioned pieces of cloth assembled and stitched together to provide a unitary structure comprising generally a front panel I0, front arm panels II and I2, outer side panels l3 and I4, inner side panels I5 and i8,

outer and inner back panels Irene I I, respectivelypouter wing panels I! and I0, inner wing panels 2! and 22, seat panel 23, a skirt 24 to surround and cover the lower portion of the chair and attachments'or flaps 25 whichare secured 5 under the seatportion of the chair by the ribbons or tapes 26.

. The covering section for each arm of the chair includes a front arm panel, .whichcovers the frontfaceof the arm, an outer side panel, which 10 coversthe outer side- 'of the arm, and an inner side panel, which covers the inner surface of the arm. As shown in the drawings, the inner side panels I5 and I6 are formed so that they extend over the tops of the chair arms, the seams 21 between such panels and the outer side panels I3 and .Il, respectively, extending lengthwise of the arms along the, outerupper portions thereof. The lower edge portions of the inner side panels I5 and I6 are/designed to be tucked into the spaces between the chair arms 28 and the seat portion 29,,as isclearly shown in Fig.6. The front edges of the inner side panels I5 and I6 are sewed to the front arm panels II and I2, respectively, the seams 30 between such panels extending from the upper edge of the front panel I0,'along the inner edges .of the front faces of the arms of the chair and over the front upp r edges of the arms to the seams 21,. The upper rear edge of the panels I5 and I6 are preferably are sewed to the-front arm panels II and I2, respectively, the seams 33 between such panels, together with the seams 30, conformingwith the general configuration of the front faces of the arms: of the chair. As is shown more clearlp in .Fig. 2, the rear portions of the outer side panels I3 and ,extend around to the rear of the chair, the upper edges of such rear portions-being sewed to the Ibwerdges of the outer wing panels l9 and 20, respectively, so as to form the seams 34. 60

, The rear edge portion of the outer side panel I3 is sewed to a fastening strip 35 provided preferably with. snap sockets 36 and is secured in position on therear' of the chair when the button snaps 31 mounted on the fasteningstrip 38 of the outer back panel I! are mapped into placein the snap sockets 36. The rear edge of the outer side panel I4 is sewed to the opposite edge of the outer back panel I], forming the seam I9. The inner edgeof the outer wing panel 20*is likewise sewn to the outer back panel I l immediately above the rear. portion of the outer side\ panel l4, so that the seam section between such panels forms a continuation of the seam 39. The outer and top edges of the outer wing panel 20 are sewn to the outer andtop .edges, respectively, of the inner wing panel. 22, forming-a seam 4| having the conflgurationof the outer edge of the wing of the-chair. The inner edge of the wing panel 22 is sewn to the inner back panel I! downwardly a short distance only from the top of the chair, forming the seam 42 which is. turned inwardly so that there is no projecting material along this juncture. The remainder of the inner edge portion of the wing panel 22 is unattached and'i's'tu'cke'd in between-the wing cushion 43 of the chair and the back cushion 32.

The inner-edge of the'wing panel 2| is attached to tlie'inner back panel II in. the same .manneras the wing panel 22, to form the short seam 44, the remainder of the inner edge portion of such panel'being tucked in between the wing cushion 45 of the chair and theback cushion 82. The outer and top edges of the wing panel 2| are secured by a seam 4 to the outer and top'edges respectively of the outer wing panel I! in the same manner that the outer and top edges of the wing panels 20and 22 aresecured together. The

inner edge of the outer wing panel I9 is sewn to the outer back panel l'l downwardly to a point approximately midway between. the upper and lower edges of such panel, the seam 41 between the outer wing andback panels [8 and I1 respectively, forming a continuation of the seam 48 between the side panel l3 and the fastening strip 25 so that the appearanceof the back of the slip cover will be uniform when it is fastened in position on thechair.

The outer back panel I1 is secured at its upper edge to the upper edge'of the inner back panel l8 by a line of stitching which forms a seam 49 extending along the upper rear edge of thechair, such seam being continuous with the seams 4| and 46 of the wing panels, as shown in Figs.'1

and 2. v

The inner back panel I! and the seat panel 23 are formed from an integral piece of material of sufficient width so that the sides of the panel portion l8 may be tucked in betweenthe wing and back cushions of the chair (see Fig.3) from the lower ends of the seams 42 and 44 down'to the tops of thechair arms and also in between the arm cushions and the back cushion and so that the sides of the panel portion 23 may be tucked in between the armcushions and the seat portion 29, as shown inFig. 6. The'length of the piece of material forming the panel portions l8 and 23 is preferably such that a tuck of sufllcient size may be formed between the seat portion 29 and the back cushion 32 (see Fig. 7) to enable such tuck to obtain a firm anchoragebetween such cushions, whereby the panel cushions l8 and 23 are maintained securely in place on thechair. The front edge of the panel portion 23 is sewn to theupper edge of the front panel I0 to form the seam 50, which extends across the upper front edge of the seat portion 29. The sides of the frontportion of the seat panel 23. aresecured to the inner side panels I4 and I5 to form the seams 5!, as shown more clearly in Fig. 3, and. to prethefront panel l0, front arm panels II and I2, outer sidepanels 13 and I4, and the outer back \panel ll, the\ends of the skirt terminating at the meeting edges of the panels l3 and H, to which the fastening strips 35 and 38 are secured.

\The skirt may be plain, or of such length as to enable it to be pleated, as shown in the drawings,

and should be of such width that it extends downwardly to within a short distance of the floor level. It is ofcourse within the contemplation of the invention to omit the skirt entirely. Secured to the slip cover by the same seams which secure the skirt to the lower ends of the slip cover, are the four fastening membersor flaps 25 which are adapted to be anchored on the underside of the chair in any suitable manner as by the tapes 26 shown in Fig. 4 to remove the bagginess from the cover, thus providing a form fitting cover. While I have shown the flaps as being triangular in shape, it will be understood that they may be formed in any suitable fashion,so long as they are capable of exerting a uniform pull along the bottom edges of the slip cover.

From the above, it will be seen that the arrangement of the several panel sections ofthe slip cover is such that the operation of applying the cover to an article of furniture, can be effected expeditiously and quickly, it being only necessary to place the cover over the chair or the like, so that the several parts thereof are coveredbytheir proper panels, then secure the fastening strips 35 and- 38 together,'after which the flaps 25 are secured in position on the underside of the chair sc'that the outer panels of the cover are tightly drawn into their approximate proper positions and lastly tucking the unattached portions of the panels II, l6, l8, 2|, 22 and 23 and the. surplus material contained in the-integrally formed panels I l and 23 downlinto the crevices between the, cushions of the chair, so that such panels are stretched tightly against the surfaces of their respective cushions and are in proper position. The tucking inof the panels may, of course, be done. before anchoring the cover on the underside ofithe. chair, if the user so chooses; f f I1. 1

The slip coverof the present invention ispreferably made of af stretchable material, such as jersey cloth,-, stockinet; elasticized fabric, .etc., which whenin position on-thefabric coverin'g of the chair cushions clingsclosely-to the outer surfaces of thecushion covering fabric. Thus, when a slip cover of the present invention is placed on an article of furniture and properly secured in position, the material of which the panels.are1con-.

stituted is tightly stretched over the chairfisur faces in close contact therewith and due to the clinging quality of such material will be securely. held in proper position and cannot be wrinkled or displaced while the chair is inuse. ,Also, by reason of this'construction, I am enabled to accomplish the desirable object of supplying a slip cover which will fit articles of furniture of widely different sizes snugly and neatly. It is, therefore, not necessary to measure a piece of furniture carefully as is generally done when a cover is to be made, but, on thecontrary, my covers can be made up ina single size for each type of furni- The flaps, of course, may also be made of a its edges to a point, above the up ture. The several panel sections are preferably so arranged that the direction of'greatest stretch of the material used is in the direction of the tucked-in portions of the panels and the line of pull of the flaps at the bottom edges of the cover.

silient or stretchable fabric.

While I have shown in the drawings one form of the invention for the purposes of illustration, it is obvious that the various parts may be arranged and organized differently from the precise arrangement of the elements herein shown and described, without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. Furthermore, I do not wish to restrict myself to a slip cover made wholly of resilient fabric as those portions which are to be subjected to the greatest wear, such as the inner panels or the top portions of the arms may be made of a tougher fabric, such as chintz, cretonne, or linen. Other'combinations of resilient ,or knitted and woven fabrics may be also pro-- duced for the purpose of obtaining diiferent and pleasing eilects in the design of the slip cover. I therefore, desire that the present embodiment of the invention be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being had to the appended claims whose purpose it is to,

include arid embrace any such modifications.

I claim:

1. A slip cover for an upholstered article of furniture provided with arms, including an outer back portion for the rear of the article, a cover compartment for each arm, the outer portion of each of said arm compartments being secured at its rear edge to a side edge of said back portion and the inner portion of each of said compartments having a free rear edge adapted to be tucked into the space between an arm and the back of the article and having a free bottom edge adapted to be tucked into the space between such arm and the seat of the article, said cover including a front portion adapted to cover the front face of the seat of the article and being secured to said arm compartments, a seat and inner back portion secured at one end to said front portion and at its other end to said outer back portion and being free along its'side edges, approximately from the front end thereof to the upper ends of the free rear edges of the inner portions of the compartments, said seat andinner back portion having a length greater than the combined depth of the seat and height of the back to provide surplus material to be tucked into the space between the back and the seat and being provided with sufilcient surplus material along the free. portions of its edges to enable it to be tucked into the spaces between the arms and the back and, seat of the article, and means associated with the lower edges of the outer back portion, the outer portions of the arm compartments and the frontportion and cooperating with the tucked in parts of the inner covering portionsto maintain the several portions snugly in position on the article, j v 2. A slip'cover as claimed in claim Lin" which said seat and inner .baok portion.

free rear edgespofthelinrfi'erpo ns th partments and adjacent the top- 3. A slip cover for an upholster furniture providedwith arms" andh upholstered seat portion, said cover comprising an outer back portion for the rear of the article, a cover compartment for each arm, the outer portion of each of said arm compartments being tension during the use of the article.

is freealongf secured at its rear edge toa side edge .of said back portion and the inner portion of each of said compartments having a depth greater than the depth of the arm to provide surplus material to be tucked into the space'between-the arm and back and having a height greater than the arm.

to provide surplus material to be tucked into the space between the arm and the fixed upholstered seat po'rtionof the article, said cover including a front portionadapted to cover" the frontface of the seat .of the article andbeing secured to said arm compartments, a seat and inner back I portion secured at one end to said front portion and at its other end to said outer back portion and having a length greater than the combined "depth of the seat and height of the back to provide surplus material to be tucked into the space between the back and the fixed seat portion of the article, said seat andinner back portion being provided with sufficient surplus materialio along its side edges 'to enable it to be tucked into the spaces between the arms and the back and fixed seat portion of the article, the said portions of the cover being made of a fabric material capable of substantial expansion from its normal condition and capable of clinging closely to the covering fabric of the article, whereby the tucked-inparts of such portions are effectively secured in the spaces between the arms, back and the fixed seat portion of the article and creeping or slipping of such portions on the covering fabric of the article is prevented, and means associated with the lower edges of the outer back portion, the outer portions of the arm compartments and the front portion andcooperating with the tucked-in parts of the inner covering portions and the adhering action of the stretchable fabric material to maintain the several portions of the cover snugly in position on the article.

4. A slip cover as claimed in claim 3, in which the said portions thereof are made of knitted fabric material inherently stretchable in both directions so as to snugly conform to the contour of the back, arms and fixed seat portion of the article.

outer back por'tion,-the outer portions of the armcompartments and the front portion comprise a plurality of inelastic fastening members adapted to hold the stretchable material under 6. An upholstered chair comprising a seat portion, a back portion and arms, a covering for said chair-comprising a cover portion for the inner and outer surfapes of the back portion of the chair, compartment portions for both the inner and outer surfaces of said arm portions of the chair, and a covering portion for the top surface of the seat portion of the chair, said covering portions being connected, said covering compris ing material inherently stretchable in both directions whereby the covering may be drawn over the chair under tension both in the direc-' tion of the width and the length of the chair,

{-thQPQI'tiOll-Ofiflld cover overlying the top edge 7 ,of thejbackvportion being under tension 'and in closesurface engagement'with said top edge of hepaek-portion, said cover including s urplus mae lower front surfaceof side surfaces 0 t1- portions of the" chairaiins,

tlons being retained in'such'ftuckedun tlOIlS or the chair being in frictional surface engagement with the said corresponding portions of said chair and tightly stretched over the said chair portions, the portions of the covering during theme 01 the said chair stretching to con-' form to the contour of such portions of the chair which 'are depressed from their normal configuration and resuming their normal condition when the depressed portions of the'chair return to their normal contour, the frictional and tensional surface contact between the upholstering material and the stretchable material or said 1 covering retaining said materials in substantially smooth, wrinkleless relation when said chairback and seat are released from the depressive action resulting from the use of the chair.

ARTHUR OPP, JR. 

